Emotive Suicide Prevention Video Released To Help Construction Workers

It is a shocking statistic that nearly 500 construction workers take their own lives every year in the UK and Ireland. Ahead of World Suicide Prevention Day, which was on Friday 10 September, a wordless and emotive video was released as a free resource, highlighting the issue, and providing guidance for anyone affected.

PBC Today reports that the hard-hitting film, which depicts a man ‘on the edge’ and considering taking his own life, was created in a collaboration between film-makers AKT Productions and Ambanja Films.

A construction site in Whitechapel, London was provided by major contractors BAM for the filming location, and the project was supported by the Lighthouse Club charity, the only charity to provide emotional, physical and financial wellbeing support to construction workers and their families.

The resulting short film, called ‘On The Edge’ is emotionally arresting and touching and aims to enable and encourage anyone affected to find a way to talk about what they are feeling.

Research has established that almost half of UK tradespeople experience mental health problems due to work. Stress, anxiety and depression account for a fifth of all work-related illnesses.

BAM’s Ewen Hunter said: “Although the film and subject are sensitive and distressing, our industry has one of the highest death rates so to be able to be involved in creating this film matters a great deal to many people. Thousands of people in our workforce alone will be viewing it and I know it will prompt some very valuable conversations. It may even save lives.”

The film, which can be seen here, is free for anyone and everyone to use across the construction industry, and any other sector.

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